Warm Mineral Springs a way of life for some

Julie Simmerling, left, and Whitney Frost enjoy temperate waters Monday at Warm Mineral Springs in North Port. People from all over the world flock to the springs claiming it's high mineral content can heal the body and mind. The attraction may soon close due to political bickering between county and city government officials. ( Photo/ Matt Houston )

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.

WARM MINERAL SPRINGS - The accents are all Eastern European but each one is unique, like the ailments that come with them.

There's the Serbian immigrant with aching hands. The native of Belarus with high blood pressure. The Russian-born doctor with a tender knee.

What they share is a belief in the healing powers of Warm Mineral Springs, a conviction so deep they purchased homes near the property and visit the bubbling waters at every opportunity.

For these passionate springs devotees, the idea that the attraction could soon close because of political bickering is almost unthinkable. This is not some random park, they say. This is a lifestyle.

"We need this water," said Venice resident Anna Livshin. "Don't punish us because of this situation."

After jointly purchasing the property in 2010, elected leaders from Sarasota County and the city of North Port are deeply divided over the springs' future.

As the City Commission moves to sell its stake in the venture, some are warning that the springs likely will close at least temporarily because a contract with the property manager expires June 30 and there is little time to solicit bids for a new management firm.

Caught in the middle are people like Livshin, a Russian immigrant who settled in Boston, began visiting Warm Mineral Springs 20 years ago and bought a home nearby in 2003.

The retired psychiatrist says the water in Florida's only warm spring — renowned for its unusually high concentration of minerals — helped her recover from knee surgery three years ago. She takes a dip almost daily when the weather is nice, donning a broad-brimmed lavender sun hat, pink lipstick and orange earrings for a recent visit.

"This is our God-given place!" she declared with proprietary zeal.

Now Livshin wonders if she should renew her annual pass, which expires this month. The uncertainty is stressful, an unwanted "disturbance" in a place centered around relaxation.

Investments at stake

Significant financial investments also are at stake.

Jelena Pavlik makes the trip south from Chicago four times each year to soak her arthritic hands.

Pavlik bought her North Port house because of its proximity to the springs. She recently remodeled the home. Now her cousin is looking at property nearby.

But there is no reason for the family — natives of Serbia who have been visiting the springs for 30 years — to own homes in the area if they cannot access the mineral waters.

"We bought the house here because of the springs so yeah, I would be pretty upset if it closes," said the 60-year-old nurse.

People who bought homes to be near the springs are especially irritated it might close.

Jadwiga Fedorowicz, 72, moved to a house half-a-mile from the springs 17 years ago because of failing health. Just smelling the water makes her feel better, she said.

"People will be crying," if the springs closes said Fedorowicz, who was born in what is now Belarus. "So many people sold their houses and came here over the years to be near the springs."

Tourism and jobs

Real estate is just one aspect of the springs economy. Tourism promoters from cities including Cleveland and Chicago — places with significant populations of Eastern European immigrants — regularly bring busloads of visitors.

Eastern Europe has a strong spa culture based around mineral springs.

Many of these immigrants and their children have been visiting Warm Mineral Springs for years. Some stay a week or two. Others spend months in the area.

Nearly 120,000 people visited the springs last year, according to the management company.

Then there are the attraction's 44 employees. Mary Putnik has worked there the longest, a span covering four owners and 19 years.

The Serbian immigrant has been surprised by the springs dispute. She thought public ownership would bring improvements.

"We thought it was going to continue upgrading and getting better," she said.

Putnik cannot fathom working anywhere else. She first visited the attraction in 1991 and immediately decided to sell her home in Chicago.

"We were here two weeks and my husband said: 'We're buying a house,'" she said.

Putnik began working at the springs as a housekeeper "just to have free admission." She still takes advantage of that perk nearly every Saturday morning. It's her time just to soak.

<p><em>WARM MINERAL SPRINGS</em> - The accents are all Eastern European but each one is unique, like the ailments that come with them.</p><p>There's the Serbian immigrant with aching hands. The native of Belarus with high blood pressure. The Russian-born doctor with a tender knee.</p><p>What they share is a belief in the healing powers of Warm Mineral Springs, a conviction so deep they purchased homes near the property and visit the bubbling waters at every opportunity.</p><p>For these passionate springs devotees, the idea that the attraction could soon close because of political bickering is almost unthinkable. This is not some random park, they say. This is a lifestyle.</p><p>"We need this water," said Venice resident Anna Livshin. "Don't punish us because of this situation."</p><p>After jointly purchasing the property in 2010, elected leaders from Sarasota County and the city of North Port are deeply divided over the springs' future.</p><p>As the City Commission moves to sell its stake in the venture, some are warning that the springs likely will close at least temporarily because a contract with the property manager expires June 30 and there is little time to solicit bids for a new management firm.</p><p>Caught in the middle are people like Livshin, a Russian immigrant who settled in Boston, began visiting Warm Mineral Springs 20 years ago and bought a home nearby in 2003.</p><p>The retired psychiatrist says the water in Florida's only warm spring — renowned for its unusually high concentration of minerals — helped her recover from knee surgery three years ago. She takes a dip almost daily when the weather is nice, donning a broad-brimmed lavender sun hat, pink lipstick and orange earrings for a recent visit.</p><p>"This is our God-given place!" she declared with proprietary zeal.</p><p>Now Livshin wonders if she should renew her annual pass, which expires this month. The uncertainty is stressful, an unwanted "disturbance" in a place centered around relaxation.</p><p><b>Investments at stake</b></p><p>Significant financial investments also are at stake.</p><p>Jelena Pavlik makes the trip south from Chicago four times each year to soak her arthritic hands.</p><p>Pavlik bought her North Port house because of its proximity to the springs. She recently remodeled the home. Now her cousin is looking at property nearby.</p><p>But there is no reason for the family — natives of Serbia who have been visiting the springs for 30 years — to own homes in the area if they cannot access the mineral waters.</p><p>"We bought the house here because of the springs so yeah, I would be pretty upset if it closes," said the 60-year-old nurse.</p><p>People who bought homes to be near the springs are especially irritated it might close.</p><p>Jadwiga Fedorowicz, 72, moved to a house half-a-mile from the springs 17 years ago because of failing health. Just smelling the water makes her feel better, she said.</p><p>"People will be crying," if the springs closes said Fedorowicz, who was born in what is now Belarus. "So many people sold their houses and came here over the years to be near the springs."</p><p><b>Tourism and jobs</b></p><p>Real estate is just one aspect of the springs economy. Tourism promoters from cities including Cleveland and Chicago — places with significant populations of Eastern European immigrants — regularly bring busloads of visitors.</p><p>Eastern Europe has a strong spa culture based around mineral springs.</p><p>Many of these immigrants and their children have been visiting Warm Mineral Springs for years. Some stay a week or two. Others spend months in the area.</p><p>Nearly 120,000 people visited the springs last year, according to the management company.</p><p>Then there are the attraction's 44 employees. Mary Putnik has worked there the longest, a span covering four owners and 19 years.</p><p>The Serbian immigrant has been surprised by the springs dispute. She thought public ownership would bring improvements.</p><p>"We thought it was going to continue upgrading and getting better," she said.</p><p>Putnik cannot fathom working anywhere else. She first visited the attraction in 1991 and immediately decided to sell her home in Chicago.</p><p>"We were here two weeks and my husband said: 'We're buying a house,'" she said.</p><p>Putnik began working at the springs as a housekeeper "just to have free admission." She still takes advantage of that perk nearly every Saturday morning. It's her time just to soak.</p><p>"People love this place," she said.</p>